Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1887-12-22
WASHINGTON LETTER.
IFrom Our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1887

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1887.
Mr.. Cleveland's annual message to
Congress is certainly unique in two
respects ut least:-ior it's unusual
brevity, and owing to the fact that it
il devoted almost exclusively to the
OF II single subject the
treasury surplus. Among congress
men OF the presidents own party, the
message is very favorably received.
while the opposition regard it as a
free trade production that sounds the
leaih knell OF the dominant parlX.
The nominations OF Mr. Lamar to he
associate justice OF the supreme court,
Mr.. Villas to be secretary Of the in
terror. and Mr.. Dickinson to be post
master general, excite no surprise
whatever, as such action has long been
iorastalled by the press OF tlseeouniry,
ns well as foreshadowed in this cores
pondence. Some Southern congress
men are very much disappointed that
he south should thus lose a cabinet
place without any compensating adj
vantage. as Mr.. Lamar succeeds II
Sout herner on the bench, while he him
sell makes room for Il Western man.
The promotion of Mir. Villas and the
appointment OF Mr.. Dickinson, is sup
posed to be scheme OF tine president
to capture Wisconsin and Michigan
for the democracy, for he realizes that
the South is safe anyhow, and nothing
cal, he gained for his party there.
The opening of the Fiiteth Congress
was attended by the usual larcecrowds,
and the stir and hustle incident to
such an occasion OF great public i'll
ter.st. though there was no friction or
excitement either in the organization
oi the senate Oh the house. Consider
able mirth was evoked in the house
over the drawing of seats--iIll the mem
bers, with the exception ol Messrs.
Kelley, Cox and Randall, who, 10y reil-
son of long service are pri, ,ed char
act ers, being ut the mercy OF chance.
1t is more of an object to procure IL
choice seat in the house than in the
senate, as the former body i,not noted
ior its orderly proctleedings.
In both house and senate there was
IL lavish display OF lovely flowers in
various beautiful designs of anchors.
stars and crosses, upon the desks of
the more popular and prominent lesis-
lafors. Before the seat OF one member
noticed u floral ladder more than
seven feet in length. Nor must forget
to mention in this connection the
rosette that blooms perennial upon the
breast OF the sprishtly Springer, who
halls from Illinois. AS one scanned
the floors OF Congress for the old
familiar faces Of the past, many oi
them, alas were misSing-gOnc down
i'm the battle of the ballots. Of these
none were more conspicuous for ab-
srnce than Morrison. Sinelct on, We'll
born and Bragg in the house. ana
Harrison, Sewell. Camden and Mahona
in the senate. There is no better place
in the world to form an impressive
idea OF the visissitules in the lives ol
American statesmen than in the cap
i,al OF the United States, when II new
fibll1ltSs co1lNfIcS, anu tlif
tatives OF the people of the states
stand 10y scores IN front of TIE pre-id-
ing officers desk to he sworn in.
speaker Carlisle announces that Ii,
hopes 'oappoint the houseeommittces
hefore he holiday recess, AMI state
;hat he is very likely to do sosunle-'
there j. too great IA scramble for tht
best places. The speaker did we'll T.,
make such II reservation, for lac i
aware from evperi,nce thai il Is qui',
probable he viii have To contend viii
ihc very difficulties which he seeks Il
avoid.
Mr.. Townsend proposes q introdur'
n bill in the house to consolidate iHtt
"A "Departmcnt of Indusj rie- and Pub
lie Works" the following bureaus: y.
riculiural department. labor bureau
weather bureau. bureau nj patents
coast survey, geological survey, ii-i
commission, the int terstaieconlinI>,iol
and several other minor bureaus
This is virtually the revival of AN ol'
bill that was designed To rals" tn
head OF the agricultural department
TO "A cabinet POSITION. and in IT. pres
ent form stands a better chance q
.,sc,ess than as originally ira.ne,..